Fire Destroys Barn
January 26, 2014
Fire destroyed a large free-standing barn Saturday night near McDavid.
The barn, located behind a residence in the 4500 block of Crary Road, was fully involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
The McDavid, Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Scott Proposes $33 Million Cut In Corporate Fees, Fines
January 26, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott released another component of his election-year proposal to cut taxes and fees by $500 million, this time by seeking to slash $33 million in corporate filing fees and penalties.
Scott’s office issued a press release announcing the latest of his tax and fee cut proposals late Friday, but details of the proposal weren’t immediately available.
The plan would reduce “approximately 50 different corporate filing fees and reduces the penalties associated with late filings taking into account the number of months the filing is late,” according to the release.
The tax break appears to be another dig against Scott’s presumed Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist. In 2010, then-Republican governor Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature repealed a law that allowed corporations to get a waiver from the Division of Corporations for $400 late fees. The elimination of the late fee waiver, a recommendation of business-backed Florida TaxWatch, was one of a variety of methods Crist and lawmakers employed to plug a budget hole during the state’s economic downturn.
Scott also wants to roll back vehicle registration fees hiked by Crist and the Legislature in 2009. Lawmakers will consider Scott’s proposed tax and fee cuts during the upcoming legislative session.
William Joseph Johnson
January 26, 2014
William Joseph Johnson went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 23, 2014.
William, whom his family and friends called Bill was born on April 27, 1928.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Mamie Chavers Johnson, his brother Junior Johnson and sister Ruby Griffis. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Gladys Johnson, his stepdaughters Dianne Bryant, Sharon Giraud, and stepson David Shirey; His grandchildren, Jamie Cleckley, Julia Manning, Tori Toms, and Trevor Toms; His great grandchildren, Ashlyn Fuller and William “Billy” Mann. Bill is also survived by his siblings Marie Carnley, Louise Capps, Evelyn Tolbert, Ester Cartwright, Dott Bohannon, Laura Kimmons, Marylee Gilmore, Fred Johnson, Buford Johnson, and Jimmy Johnson; His children Preston Johnson, Wanda Pinter, Daryl Johnson, Shelia Fisher, Dwight Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and Danna Lewalski; His grandchildren Joey, Little Daryl, Donnie, Jessie, Destiny, Misty, Christy, Amy, Staci, Tamala, and Junior.
Bill is a Korean War Veteran. During his time in the service Bill rose to the rank of corporal.
Among his award are the, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and a Bronze Star. Bill received an Honorable discharge on February 24, 1954.
William Joseph Johnson touched the lives of so many. He is loved and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2014, from noon until the 2 p.m. funeral service at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Don Neese officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Cemetery in Molino.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North , 1000 S. Highway 29, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements.
Winter Storm Watch
January 26, 2014
A 
winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: A slight chance of rain before 3am, then a slight chance of freezing rain and sleet. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: A chance of freezing rain and sleet before noon, then rain and sleet likely. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: Freezing rain and sleet before 3am, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely. Low around 25. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday: A slight chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
A Little Warmer Weekend; Colder Next Week
January 25, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light northwest after midnight.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Monday Night: A slight chance of rain before midnight, then a slight chance of sleet between midnight and 3am, then a slight chance of freezing rain and sleet after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday: A chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 9am, then a chance of snow and sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. North wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 43. North wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
- Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Retired Super Bowl Winner Pushes Tate Students Toward Healthy Ways
January 25, 2014
A former Super Bowl winner was at Tate High School Friday afternoon, celebrating a culture of wellness as the school received a large cash donation.
Leigh Torrence, retired player for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Super Bowl champ New Orleans Saints, spoke about his life and career, focusing on the importance of good nutrition, eating breakfast and exercising. Before participating in a question and answer session with students, Torrence led the gym full of Tate students in exercise activities.
During “Fuel Up To Play 60″ presentation, the Dairy Council of Florida presented the school with a $4,000 check. Tate was just one of 10 schools in Florida to receiving funding this year from the Dairy Council. The money will be used for a fitness trail and to provide healthier school breakfast choices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Retired NFL player Leigh Torrence speaks to students about healthy exercise Friday at Tate High School. Pictured inset: The school was presented $4,000 from the Dairy Council of Florida. Pictured inset: Students pose with Torrence. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Jerni Crabtree Named Jr. Miss EWMS (With Photo Gallery)
January 25, 2014
Jerni Lee Crabtree was named Jr. Miss EWMS Friday night at Ernest Ward Middle School.
First runner-up was Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline’ amd second runner-up was Ashlan Kaile Harigel. The People’s Choice award was presented to Kally Lee White; the poise and appearance award to Ashlan Kaile Harigel; the congeniality award to Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline, and the physical fitness award to Jerni Lee Crabtree.
Jr. Miss EWMS Jerni Lee Crabtree is the 13-year old daughter of Louis and Layna Crabtree. She plans to graduate from law school, become a lawyer and eventually a judge.
For a pageant photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Second Runner-up and Appearance Award winner Ashlan Kaile Harigel, Jr. Miss EWMS and Physical Fitness Ward winner Jerni Lee Crabtree, People’s Choice winner Kally Lee White and First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Unemployment Numbers Improving Across Most Of The Local Area
January 25, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level sliding downward in most of the North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate also dropped to the lowest level in over five years.
Escambia County’s unemployment fell from 6.2 percent in November to 5.9 percent in December. There were 8,92 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.89 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment fell from 5.4 to 5.1 percent from November to December. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,787 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 7.1 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment inched upwards from7.0 percent in November to 7.1 percent in December. That represented 976 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment mark fell to 6.2 percent in December, down from 6.4 percent in November, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. Out of a workforce of 9.4 million, there were an estimated 584,000 jobless people in December, 18,000 fewer than in November.
The state also reported that Florida added 14,100 jobs in December, a 0.2 percent increase from November, of which the majority were private sector positions.
“Once again we continue to distance ourselves from the national unemployment rate and create opportunities for Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a prepared statement.
The national unemployment mark stands at 6.7 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.1percent in December, was down from November’s rate of .2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 6.8 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Firefighters Respond To Smoke In Ernest Ward Gym
January 25, 2014
Multiple Escambia Fire Rescue Stations were dispatched to the smell of smoke in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym Friday night.
The smoke was reported at 9:14 p.m., shortly after hundreds of people had departed a beauty pageant in the gym. Firefighters traced the smoke to a pulley on a heating system fan motor. There was no damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Medical Marijuana Initiative Gets Needed Signatures For Ballot
January 25, 2014
Medical marijuana proponents cleared a major hurdle Friday by surpassing the number of signatures required to make it on the November ballot.
But it’s still up in the air whether voters will get to choose if they want Florida to join 20 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing medical marijuana.
The Florida Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments about the ballot initiative last month, will have final say as it decides whether the proposal meets constitutional requirements and does not mislead voters.
With 710,508 validated signatures statewide — 27, 359 more than the required 683,149 — and reaching signature requirements in the bare minimum of 14 congressional districts, People United for Medical Marijuana beat a Feb. 1 deadline for submitting petitions to the state.
“We are absolutely thrilled about reaching the required number of signatures. This is a historic day for Florida. Hopefully, Floridians will not only get a chance to vote on medical marijuana this fall but will pass it and bring relief to the thousands of Floridians that are desperately asking for it,” said Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, the group working for People United for Medical Marijuana.
The push for the medical marijuana initiative is being led by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Crist’s boss, Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan. Morgan and his law firm have contributed at least $2.7 million, including nearly $1 million in loans last month, to the effort. But that’s just a drop in the bucket. Pollara estimates that, if the initiative makes it onto the ballot, the campaign could cost at least $10 million. Like all other constitutional proposals, the amendment would need at least 60 percent of the vote to pass.
Republicans as well as law enforcement and parts of the business community have lined up against the proposal. Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders oppose letting doctors prescribe pot, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s lawyer argued against the proposal before the high court last month.
Many of the justices’ questions focused on the difference between the ballot summary’s reference to “debilitating diseases,” which would appear before voters, and the amendment language which says doctors could write pot prescriptions for a “debilitating medical condition.”
Solicitor General Allen Winsor, representing opponents, argued that the ballot title and summary that would appear on the ballot could deceive voters about the scope of the amendment. Winsor argued that the ballot language is misleading because it wrongly leads voters to believe that fewer people could get access to pot when doctors instead would have much more liberty to determine who qualifies.
But former House Speaker Jon Mills, a constitutional lawyer who authored the proposed amendment and argued on its behalf before the court, said the proposal was written to give doctors the ability to make the best decision for their patients.
Scott has repeatedly said he does not want to make pot legal because of the risks of abuse.
But on Friday, the governor toned down his message, saying he would defer to voters.
“I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative. But, having seen the terrible affects of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it. No matter my personal beliefs, however, a ballot initiative would be up to the voters to decide,” Scott said in an e-mailed statement.
Jenn Meale, a spokeswoman for Bondi, said the attorney general’s office is waiting for a ruling from the Supreme Court on the ballot language and would refrain from commenting Friday.
Morgan insists he was inspired by his own family’s suffering. He said medical marijuana eased the excruciating pain and discomfort his father experienced as a result of emphysema and esophageal cancer.
But some critics have questioned Morgan’s true motives. Putting the pot question on the November ballot where his friend and fellow Democrat Crist might also appear may help the former governor. Polls have shown widespread support for the proposal, but the support is even higher among younger voters. Medical marijuana could help drive those voters, who might otherwise stay home in a non-presidential election, to the polls.
The strategy is similar to what Republicans used in previous years with proposals banning gay marriage, said Florida Atlantic University political science professor Kevin Wagner. Wagner said that could also be why Republicans like Bondi are fighting the initiative in court.
“It’s a political play in which neither side cares about who wins but what’s on the ballot,” Wagner said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida